The Manchester Derby in the Premier League this weekend marks Dalot's 250th appearance for Manchester United. Ahead of this milestone, the Manchester United defender sat down with ESPN Manchester United correspondent Rob Dawson for an interview. He spoke about his nine years at Manchester United, why he has remained loyal to the club, his responsibility in helping young players, the benefits of Erik ten Hag as manager, the Manchester Derby, and how he is helping Manchester United return to the top. What follows is the third part of this exclusive interview.

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You seem to have a very deep emotional bond with the fans at Old Trafford. I've watched you in many matches, and before every game at Old Trafford, you deliberately go to the Stretford End to greet your loyal supporters. Is this interaction with the fans very important to you?

It is very important, because I believe Manchester United is a club driven by an abundance of energy. From a purely technical standpoint, you can make mistakes, miss chances, or botch some technical plays you normally execute well. But as long as your fighting spirit is there, as long as your commitment is evident, and as long as the fans in the stands can feel that you are giving everything to defend this shirt, they can give you overwhelming power in an instant. That is the electrifying energy you can feel at Old Trafford.

I am 100% certain that every visiting opponent also feels this suffocating pressure. When we press hard in the first 20 minutes at Old Trafford and play with momentum, it is extremely difficult for opponents to stabilize and regain control of the game. I believe this connection with the fans, where the stands see the entire team united, is extremely important and significant. If I can contribute even a small part, even just one percent – I am someone driven by passion every day, and I am used to expressing myself in this way and passing this energy on to my teammates and the fans in the stands. If it can provide even a one percent boost, I will be incredibly relieved.

Do you feel that the home advantage at Old Trafford has been restored? It seems far more difficult for away teams to simply come and win here now than it was two years ago. Since Michael Carrick took over, the team has won some difficult matches. Has this also psychologically changed the mentality of away teams, so they feel intimidated when they enter Old Trafford?

Yes, I think there has been an improvement, but the Theatre of Dreams should always be like this. Our goal should be to remain unbeaten at Old Trafford throughout an entire season. This place must become an impregnable fortress; it is our home, and visiting teams must find it incredibly difficult and challenging to play here, with no hope of taking points. Because when the players on the pitch and the fans in the stands are completely united, we are unbeatable. Therefore, I really do feel that we are rebuilding a special deterrent in this stadium, which is exactly the belief I crave every time I enter Old Trafford.

You also have close friends from the Portuguese national team at Manchester City, like Rúben Dias and Matheus Nunes. How is your relationship with them as the derby approaches? Do you break all contact or do you still exchange messages?

Actually, we communicate very little before a big match. Usually, we only get together during international training to review the match and discuss certain details and incidents on the pitch. Given the rivalry between the two clubs, we try our best to maintain a mutually respectful professional approach before and after the derby. Of course, during international training camps, everyone naturally discusses aspects of the club matches. But before the result of the match is decided, we both tacitly maintain this professional focus.

Finally, two more questions. What goals do you still aspire to achieve in your future career at Manchester United? Is there a deep conviction you must fulfill before you leave this club?

Absolutely. For me, that means winning the Premier League title, winning the Champions League, and truly making the team capable of competing for these highest honors. That would probably be the most glorious achievement of my career. Being one of those who helped Manchester United return to the top is enormously significant to me. Frankly, Manchester United belongs there, and I believe everyone in world football agrees. I know that once we get infinitely close to this ultimate goal, the energy released by everyone at the club and Red Devil supporters around the world will carry us over the finish line. That is my greatest source of motivation: to give everything I can to be part of this revival and to look forward to achieving this glorious moment with the team.

I imagine that in the past, during some low points, you perhaps felt that these grand visions were unattainable. But now that the team is steadily moving in the right direction, do you feel closer to making this dream a reality?

Actually, yes, but that is the beauty of Manchester United. Every new season reignites your ambition anew and makes you deeply believe that the team has the ability to fight and achieve great things. But none of that can be accomplished simply by snapping your fingers or just saying "with my belief and hope." It requires solid hard work day in and day out, and the unity and cooperation of the entire team. That is also where my focus lies. Beyond doing my own job well, whenever I have the opportunity, if I can motivate a teammate beside me, a colleague, or even the management, I will do my utmost. I believe that is my current mission: on one hand, to focus completely on the pitch and strive to become a more comprehensive and top-level defender; on the other hand, through my actions, to inspire two or three teammates around me, so that we all stay together and fight for the highest goals. That is a responsibility I deeply feel.

One final question. You are approaching your 250th appearance for Manchester United. Can you imagine from your personal future plans retiring at Manchester United? Playing another 250 matches in addition to your current appearances?

As I said when I signed with the club, I never thought about leaving at any particular time. If you had asked me back then whether I expected to play 250 matches, the answer would have been yes, because from the start I was mentally prepared to play here for ten years. Now it is my ninth season, so why not dream about the future? I would love to play another 250 matches for Manchester United. That would be an incredible achievement. Looking back at Manchester United's glorious history, many legendary players have accumulated over 450 appearances. But reaching 250 matches, I would still be proud to go home, immensely proud to have worn this glorious shirt so many times. Of course, I hope this number will increase significantly in the future.

If you can be part of the team that ultimately helps Manchester United win back the Premier League title, every person on that team will become a legendary figure in club history.

I hope so, that is my ultimate goal. It is a deep desire in my heart, and I sincerely hope to achieve it with my own hands.

Übersetzt von KI.

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